Posted by Martha on February 19, 1999, at 17:13:19
In reply to Re: Ritalin, posted by Elizabeth on February 19, 1999, at 15:56:00
> > 44514 Five years ago, My daughter and I began a course of Ritalin. Five days latter, I has a serious stroke. when I became well enough to act on my concerns about her taking the drug, i took her of the medication. Since that time I have gone to various neurolgists who have looked at my rcords and told me that they don'tknow what caused the stroke, but never take ritalin, or estrogen, or any related medication, like decongestants, ginsing, etc. Recently, my daughter has had test results which indicate that her academic performance is being hurt by ADD. Her school therapist has told me that she would give her the meds. I am frighhtened at the thought and looking for any possible natural alternative, or some sound information to calm me about letting her take this drug. Can you help?
>
> A healthy child is a lot different from an adult with a history of stroke. Ritalin and many other stimulant drugs have a side effect of causing blood vessels to narrow, which can increase the risk of a hemorrhagic stroke. I do not believe this is a major risk in a healthy child.
>
> I don't know of any effective "natural remedies" for ADD, but please be aware that these are drugs too, and some of them are much more dangerous than Ritalin. I do know that caffeine works for some people, though I don't think they find it as effective as Ritalin. Cylert has less cardiovascular activity than Ritalin (amphetamines have more) but can cause liver disease; however, regular blood testing can screen for this, and if a test shows up abnormal the child can stop the drug.Thank-you for your reply. Does your concern for safety include a substance called pycnogengol, which I have read about on the internet , it is supposed to be an antioxidant. That would make sence in terms of degenerative desease. The same sight actually carried a piece on stroke.
poster:Martha
thread:1068
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/19990501/msgs/3068.html